Sport wagering industry aims to safeguard itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is substantial service.
Sport England approximates the value of spending on sport-related gambling in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer.
Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt approximates the overall worldwide gambling market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting.
But when the integrity of occasions are struck the gaming industry suffers, and incomes are put under threat if customers can not bet with confidence.
And there can have been few higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.
"Not just is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have been questioned by police over spot-fixing claims connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will likewise challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing claims, however was prohibited recently for 6 months for failing to report the illegal method to him to toss frames.
There are also 2 other continuing investigations - unrelated to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that benefits betting firms due to the fact that people will invest cash sports betting with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan allegations, although unrelated to the UK controlled wagering industry ... it is not really a positive story for wagering in the UK.
"That is since the understanding is that 'cricket is now something we might have to beware about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to prevent future scandals?
According to specialists at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation points out: "The only people who can fix a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents guys and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He thinks that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary treatments, but that the method to tackle prospective problems around gamers is likewise through education.
Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be discussed clearly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through informing players about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If gamers are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal advice at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we also make a point of informing players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is essential that sport is directly, and is seen to be straight," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in sports betting firms' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that when a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "incalculable".
FA rules indicate gamers are not permitted to wager on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he states might cause "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not wager on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup final the following spring.
"We have to overcome to gamers the reputational danger to the game," he says. "Once confidence has actually been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then perhaps Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to regulate industrial gaming in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has obligation for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The frustrating majority of sports betting wagering taking location through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the potential to weaken the stability of a sport, and it also damages the commercial interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."
The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and share information to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have actually experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting wagering," he states.
"We will alert sports betting of our concerns, to help avoid or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission likewise presented a confidential telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has been simply one criminal prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was cautioned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful information has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost efficient, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he states a number of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They seek out the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
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